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Winter Skills course: special offer

Why winter, why the Cairngorms?

There is something about snow which makes the mountains so much more beautiful. For some of us the first snow falls of winter send a shiver of excitement down the backbone. The Cairngorms, protected from Gulf Stream warmth, are universally recognized as providing our most consistent snow and ice conditions. They’re Britain’s highest mountain range, Scotland’s high arctic and home to our most permanent snow beds. For some of their time they may be under brilliant blue skies, at other times immersed in freezing hill fog. Any protrusion above the snow becomes caked in beautiful rime ice crystals. The winter mountains aren’t for the faint hearted but to experience them in their full winter garb is to see them at their finest. So come and join us to enjoy this winter for a winter skills course, a winter mountaineering course or a guided walking experience.

Learning winter skills here with Scot Mountain Holidays is so much more than just instruction. We believe you should be comfortable and relaxed while you pick up new winter skills, so we include accommodation at our family home and cook for you so you can relax and concentrate on the new winter skills you’ve learnt.

The extras included on our winter skills courses are:

Transfers between Inverness airport or Aviemore railway station if required

Evening meal on arrival at the Lodge

Evening meal to round off the end of the course

Accommodation at the end of the course (excl. weekend courses)

Breakfast before you depart the following morning

*Terms and Conditions apply

Green travel discount does not apply.

Booking must be received by 14th January 2016.

To apply for your discount just send us an email at: winterskills@scotmountainholidays.com

For more information about winter skills techniques, winter skills courses, equipment for winter skills, preparation for a winter skills course read these articles on our blog.

Top 10 gadgets for the hiker or adventurer

Not all of the items we’ve selected are to take out on the hill with you. If you’re considering upgrading your navigation skills or attending a winter skills course this season, you might want to think of some of the items on the list below. Maybe they’ll help to bulk out your Christmas list.

2. Sleeping mat

If the person you’re buying for is considering any kind of camping a sleeping mat would be a good investment as a good night’s sleep is invaluable. Certainly when you have been hiking all day and are tired at the end of it, you really need to lay your head down somewhere comfortable. The old foam mats really don’t cut if for me these days as you can wake yourself up every time you shift in your sleep. For further research check out this forum discussion on WalkHighlands: Self-inflating sleeping mat v tradtional foam mat – which to choose?http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=39163

Recommended by Men’s Health: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad

This is a very light weight but comfortable sleeping mat, however there have been reviews mentioning that the durability of the fabric has been sacrificed in order to make the mat light-weight and consequently it can puncture relatively easily.

Also when buying a self-inflating mat, don’t do what I did and get a short length one assuming that if your body is supported you’ll be fine. Really it is a much better idea to get a mat on which you can stretch out. Don’t forget that your brain is very important when you’re out hiking and it needs a good night’s sleep to recuperate just as the rest of your body does. If you’re tossing and turning and your feet are cold in the night, you just won’t feel well rested in the morning. Pay a wee bit more to make sure you have a mat which will last and provide adequate protection from the damp/cold ground and comfort to support your whole body.

3. Rugged camera (eg Olympus TG-320) or GoPro

If you have the cash to spare, and you like to record your adventures on video, you can’t really beat a GoPro, but make sure you also invest in the clamps/harnesses in order to be able to attach it to gear. It is perhaps not quite as useful for a hiker as for a mountain biker/climber unless they also like to do a wee bit of scrambling, but really video adventures are all the rage.

Danny Macaskill’s video (below) of the Cuillin Ridge on Skye has been a phenomenal success.

The advent of GPS systems means that people often have a false sense of security when heading out in the hills, as they assume that the GPS will save them if they make a mistake. The ideal situation is of course not to have made that mistake in the first place and the best of of ensuring this is to make sure that you have learnt mountain navigation skills from the best and understand your map. Scot Mountain Holidays offers 2 day navigation courses in the Cairngorms National Park which can really test your navigational knowledge while in the company of an expert and give the the practice you’ll need so that when you leave you’ll feel confident about continuing on your own.

Remember a GPS runs on batteries which can fail, especially in cold weather

Remember that a GPS can tell you where you are but it can’t read the map to tell you how to reach your destination.

NEVER rely on a GPS system on a mobile phone if you’re heading out on the hill as these apps drain the battery on a mobile phone down to only a few hours of life and you may need the phone as a phone.

Don’t forget the low tech, traditional alternative: A COMPASS preferably with a map.

5. Camelbak All Clear Microbiological UV Water Purifier or Water Filter Straw

Though in Scotland most water on the hill is pretty safe to drink, particularly if you are in an area which is not really used by hill farmers to graze their livestock, so purification is not really an issue. But if you’re planning to head abroad or do most of your hiking further south, then purification is something you will need to consider.

You can pick up the Camelbak bottles on Amazon, but be aware that this is not like buying an ordinary water bottle and the price point is close to £100.

6. Solar recharger for laptops, tablets and dvd players

Not a cheap piece of kit and probably only something you would consider buying if going on a multi-day expedition into the wilds where you won’t get any acces to a mains electrical supply. Probably not something you have any great need for in the UK.

Example: Goal Zero Sherpa 50

Another alternative, which is potentially more useful, is the PowerMonkey. which will recharge most batteries and devices from smartphones to cameras to laptops, depending on the model you buy and is actually much more convenient than taking along multiple power cords (and adapters) to charge all your devices.

7. Activity Monitor/Heart rate monitor

Everyone likes an accolade be it applause or a certificate or merely a pat on the back. Activity monitors like the FitBit or a smart watch like Magellan Switch allow you to do this while also out exercising. The FitBit is a fitness monitor which will also help to count calories and track your fitness targets. The Magellan Switch or Switch Up give you even more functionality with the advantage of the Switch Up being that if you like to participate in more than one sport it can also be attached to a bike and even used for swimming. However, my personal feel is that it could probably do with some refinement and for most people would not take the place of a GPS are there is no way of storing map information which the screen would be too small for anyway.

8. Sony DEV-3 Digital Recording Binoculars

These are quite an innovation, but they come with a price tag. Still imagine being able to record what you see through your binoculars. You’d be able to get quite some footage.

9. MicroJet Lighter (Flame) Torch

If you’ve ever struggled with matches when trying to brew up a cup of tea, you’ll be first to rush out and get one of these lighters. I think the MicroJet Lighter Torch is one of the coolest tools around. The ability to have an on-demand torch that runs entirely on disposable lighters is something that no hiker would turn down. The wind-proof flame and waterproof piezo electronic ignition system make the MicroJet ideal for outdoor use and camping. Perfect as a stocking filler.

10. Smartphone drybag

If you’ve ever managed to get your smartphone wet, the first thing you’ve probably done is to invest in a waterproof cover. If you’re phone’s not insured, it spells instant death to your phone to get it wet.

A small investment of a few pounds could save you humdreds of pounds, but make sure you don’t take it out during any rain. It might seem an obvious thing to say, but I do know people who’ve done this – and regretted it. Really an essential item if you plan to have your phone with you when you head out into the hills, whether you’re with others or not. These days your phone is considered to be part of your emergency equipment, you should protect it.

Longing to escape? Winter in a city getting to you? How about escaping into the wilds of theHighlands?

Every year there are reports of people getting lost in the snow and ice of winter. Mountain rescue callouts are predominantly about navigation errors. To make winter a safer place, it is a good idea to book a guide to lead or alternatively join a group heading out into the hills. Some groups are organised by companies on commercial trips, others are groups of friends or clubs. Nonetheless there is safety in numbers.

Every year there are winter wilderness expeditions running under the guidance of Andy Bateman of Scot Mountain Holidays in the Cairngorms and Glen Affric. There’s also usually a trip to Knoydart, home to Britain’s most remote pub; however there is a major reforestation project going on there this year which makes it less attractive to visit and all the accommodation will be taken by the forestry workers.

Life will be reduced to basics during the expedition and the only concerns will be: eat – sleep – hike (repeat). The perfect way to clear the mind and return feeling completely refreshed after only a few short days.

Walking in winter has it's own rewards in the endless mountain views in crystal clear visibility.

High in the Cairngorms, January 2017

Amazing panoramic view across the high peaks of the Cairngorms which could be yours during walking holidays in Scotland

Winter scenery in the Cairngorms

Winter hills in their wintery garb, Cairngorms

Snowy ridges of the Cairngorms on a perfect winter day

Winter hills in the evening light, Cairngorms

A ptarmigan makes walking across the snow look easy

High above the cloud in the Cairngorms

The mountains poking through the cloud in the winter Cairngorms

The northern corries of the Cairngorms in their winter garb

Winter Expeditions

1. Southern Cairngorms Winter Odyssey –

This is a rare opportunity to experience one of the remotest parts of the Cairngorms National Park at a time when the mountains are probably at their most glorious. The High Cairngorms are renowned for their wintry conditions yet at this time very few folk dare to do multi-day trips

2. Winter Cairngorms 4000ers

This is Scotland’s ultimate winter mountain journey. The high “plateau” route takes in Britain’s 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th highest peaks on a journey that circumnavigates Scotland’s finest and best known mountain pass, the Lairig Ghru.

Check out the potential avalanche sites on the head wall. You can see how the corrie came to be made

3. Glen Affric Winter Shangri-La

Imagine the soft orange light of a winters dawn gleaming down from the snowy celestial heights. Surrounded by snowy peaks and cradling a mug of tea in the crisp air, indeed a stunning winter’s day beckons.

4. Snow Hole Expedition

Have you ever dreamt of taking a short walk amongst a moonlit snowy wonderland. Amazingly no need for a torch! Imagine reflected flickering candle light giving way to the soft light of a winters dawn as you emerge from you snowy abode. Not a soul about! We’ll have a vast pristine winter wonderland all to ourselves. It’s a remarkable experience.

Highlights: winter skills on Cairngorm, overnight expedition to sleep in a snow cave, creation of said snow cave

6. Winter Loch Nevis Expedition

Why book with ScotMountain Holidays?

The routes have all been checked carefully. In addition, routes are very familiar to the guide who will know how to adapt according to the weather conditions. He or she will also know where and how to avoid the cornices (overhanging snow features)

Accommodation is organised therefore no tents flapping in the wind keeping everyone awake.

Toilet and wash facilities will be available without having to “go native” and dig a hole.

Cooking will be done by the guide.

Food will all be prepared from fresh, local produce to a wide range of recipes including carrot and cardamom soup. Obviously no commercial packets for us.